Here’s a “home haul” video, which I believe is the correct down-with-the-kids-speak for Things I’ve Been Buying For The House. Which could also be called Ruth’s Neverending Stream of Parcel Deliveries, or even Ruth’s Husband’s Ultimate Source of Discontent, because he has to endure the incessant ringing of the doorbell and the cardboard boxes everywhere and me being indecisive about everything and then eventually, after placing different cushions on different beds for a week or so, me asking him to go to the post office to send things back.
But it’s a necessary evil, internet homeware shopping, because I simply don’t get the time to go into the shops and browse. Or if I do, it’s between the hours of about 8pm and 10.30pm, which is my designated relaxation time, and there aren’t any shops open then. So I like to unwind with an imaginary glass of wine (real stuff can now be added to the list of “things that give me cystitis“) and look for whatever it is that I need. There’s always something. I still don’t have ceiling lights in two rooms upstairs, and the dog has ruined so many bits of carpet with his recent vom sessions that I’m being forced to invest in some very large rugs.
(Due to the aforementioned sick-fest and my fear of a future repeat performance, I need rugs in nice colours that are jazzy enough, pattern-wise, to hide accidents. Because it’s not just Dexter the dog I have to worry about, it’s kids carrying about pots of things that they’ve “created”, and it’s visitors with red wine, and it’s me putting down bags of beauty samples and later realising that one of the (bright green) shower gels had been leaking through the bottom of the canvas tote. Have you ever tried getting shower gel out of a pure wool carpet? In fact, have you ever tried getting anything out of a pure wool carpet? I tell you, the previous owners of this house must have been the most optimistic people alive, fitting a pale grey, massively pricey carpet throughout an entire two floors.)
Enough grumbling about vom and carpets, here’s what I’ve been buying for the house over the past few months. I’ve subtitled the video Not Your Standard Home Haul because there are some quite weird and wonderful things in it – bath mats made of felt petals, glorious abstract paintings on gold leaf, cushions with monkeys on. That sort of thing. Do enjoy – links to things mentioned are below the video pane, though be aware that anything vintage or antique will probably have been a one-off.
Plant Pot Video: https://youtu.be/L7IYvtd4jWM
Camel Kimono is from Hush, gifted, currently in the sale!* https://bit.ly/2WThPHx
Umbra Mirror bought from Amara*: http://bit.ly/2ZPaGVH
Aquanova Bath Mats bought from Amara*: http://bit.ly/2FueCDo
Towels bought from Zara Home
Round mirror bought from La Redoute* – save 30% with code SUMMER at time of posting: http://bit.ly/2H4qBaA
Sciolari Chandelier bought from Pamono: https://bit.ly/2ChyMOm
Green velvet bed bought from Soho Home: https://bit.ly/2ZKf6wG
Borastapeter Wallpaper bought from Designer Wallpapers
OKA lamps, gifted*: http://bit.ly/2ZGsodK
Doria Leuchten lamp, vintage bought from Vinterior: https://bit.ly/2auyq9E
Vanilla-Fly cushions bought from Amara*: http://bit.ly/2ZHx1Eq
Weird bubblegum girl’s head bought from Instagram ad: https://fourline.design/products/inflating-the-gum-flower-pot
Seletti mirrors bought from Amara*: http://bit.ly/2FwvB7Y
Serax Plantpots bought from Amara*: http://bit.ly/2ZNDvll
Rustic/sparkle plantpot bought from Amara*: http://bit.ly/2Fvntog
Mahogany chest of drawers, antique bought from Vinterior: https://bit.ly/2auyq9E
Painting bought from New Blood Art – Lisa Cogdell: https://newbloodart.com
Painting by Holly Delaney (gift), her website is here: https://www.hollydelaney.com
Doria Leuchten light, vintage bought from Vinterior: https://bit.ly/2auyq9E
French armoire, antique bought from Vinterior: https://bit.ly/2auyq9E
This video was so fun to watch, and I kinda love that when you say ‘my house is a mess,’ it actually is a bit messy (no offence intended, obviously), rather than it being a humble brag along the lines of ‘oh my house is a mess, but actually it’s not, but I’ll say it is so you think I have EXTREMELY high standards’ haha
I’m now debating buying the pink girl head vase. Just contemplating how best to sneak it into the budget without my husband questioning why I’m spending £44 on a novelty item… (We’re due our first baby at the end of August, so trying to tighten the purse strings, but exceptions must be made for modern art, right?)